SMT. RACHEL CHATTERJEE WHO IS APPOINTED AS CHAIRMAN,
ANDHRA PRADESH PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION

20:7 IST

Name: RACHEL CHATTERJEE
IAS 1975
Empanelled for posting as Secretary in Government of India in July 2008.
Address:
#208A, Road 14, Jubilee Hills,
Hyderabad 500033
Tel No : 040-23547244
Mobile: 9849011116
e-mail: rachelchatterjee@rediffmail.com
Age/Date of Birth: 60 years / 29th December 1950
Date of retirement: 31st December 2010
Educational Attainments:
Year Degree Institution
1968-1971 Bachelor’s Degree Stella Maris College,
English Literature University of Madras
1971-1972 Diploma in Journalism University of Madras
1972-1974 Master’s Degree Madras Christian College,
English Literature University of Madras
1989-90 Diploma in Development University of Ottawa, Canada
Administration
Posts held:
Sept 2008 - December 2010: Special Chief Secretary, Agriculture
Department, Government of Andhra Pradesh
March 2008 - Sept 2008: Principal Secretary, Social Welfare Department, Government of Andhra Pradesh
May 2002 - March 2008: CMD, APTransco (power utility)
Government of Andhra Pradesh
January 1994 - April 2002: Principal Secretary, Family Welfare/Medical
and Health Department, Government of Andhra
Pradesh
Contd…2
2
January 1992 -December 1993: Commissioner and Special Officer, Municipal
Corporation of Hyderabad
September1990-December 1991: Commissioner of Sericulture, Government of
Andhra Pradesh
August 1989 – August 1990 Lester Pearson Fellowship, University of Ottawa,
Canada
1986 - 1989 JDC Handlooms/Director, Ministry of Textiles
Government of India
1984 - 1985 Director of Sericulture. Government of Andhra
Pradesh
1977 - 1984 District postings, including District Collector,
Anantapur, Government of Andhra Pradesh
Significant achievements
My focus has been on instituting mechanisms to make the delivery system accountable to the public it serves. I have also attempted to involve the public, wherever feasible, in partnering with the administrative machinery for improved governance.
1. As Special Officer and Commissioner of the Municipal Corporation of Hyderabad, instituted Resident Welfare Societies in colonies and slums, and involved them in decision-making for improvement of civic amenities, and to give feedback on implementation. The Voluntary Garbage Disposal Scheme, organized by these colonies/slums, using tricycles for garbage collection from house-to-house, was the first of its kind in the country (1992) and is now institutionalised in the Corporation area. Initiated private sector contractual arrangements in sanitation, despite resistance from Unions, and this initiative is also now institutionalized. Steps were taken to protect over 400 open spaces belonging to the Corporation, through proper identification, documentation, construction of protective walls and through instituting statutory amendments to the Hyderabad Municipal Corporation Act. Spearheaded an initiative to green Hyderabad and two lakh trees were planted in public spaces. Partnered with nonprofits in a slum development initiative funded by DFID. These initiatives enabled the Municipal Corporation of Hyderabad to get clean and green awards from National Agencies like HUDCO. Instituted a Public Grievance mechanism, with an effective weekly review, including personal inspections, which enhanced transparency and accountability.
Contd…3
3
2. As Principal Secretary of the Medical and Health Department, formed Advisory Committees for each institution in the primary and secondary sectors, and Hospital Development Societies for the tertiary institutions with elected and community representatives, who participated in the management of these institutions, including institution of user charges. This initiative was a great success in enhancing accountability and in mobilizing funds for improved services. A Family Welfare policy was enunciated and implemented during my tenure, partnering with nonprofits, for effective delivery of mother and child healthcare. During a one year Sabbatical (2000-2001), co-authored the India Health Report, published by Oxford University Press. This was one of the first books to explore issues concerning the Indian health scenario, the diverse experiences of various states in the country in the context of their varying socio-economic settings, health systems and status, and to point the way forward.
3. As CMD of APTransco, instituted processes and IT systems to measure employees’ performance with reference to loss reduction, revenue generation and customer service and to enhance accountability and transparency. Introduced a Citizen’s Charter and set up Customer Service Centres, connected online to Head Office, to effectively monitor Standards of Performance promised in the Charter. The APTransco/Discoms achieved a financial turnaround during this period. AP Power Sector was adjudged the best in the country in a CRISIL rating exercise for 3 years consecutively during my tenure. APTransco was awarded the Gold Shield by the Prime Minister for the best Transmission Utility in the country in 2005-2006.
4. As Principal Secretary in the Social Welfare Department, to address complaints of corruption in disbursement of scholarships, introduced an online system for transfer of scholarship funds directly into the account of needy students, thus ensuring that funds reached the intended beneficiaries. This initiative was commended by Government of India.
5. As Special Chief Secretary of Agriculture Department, ensured improvement in supply of 3 major inputs critical to the farming community – seed, fertilizer and credit. I was posted in Agriculture Department to address the fertiliser shortages, which caused deep unrest in the farming community. Instituted systems reform in supply and distribution, including maintaining buffer stock of fertilizers, to ensure availability when needed. Since subsidized seed is distributed to farmers, there were regular complaints of siphoning of seed to the market. The distribution system was streamlined, leakage points plugged, ensuring supply to farmers at all stock points. Inadequate/ lack of farm credit has been a continuing problem, and through my interventions ensured credit limits for farmers were enhanced, and tenant farmers (hitherto denied credit by banks) included in the credit stream. Also initiated a Rainfed Farming initiative, partnering with non-profits, to bring greater security to rainfed farmers (approximately 50% of farmers in the State).
Publications
1. India Health Report (2003): Authors : Rajiv Misra, Rachel Chatterjee, Sujata Rao.
Publisher: Oxford University Press
*****